Firing on all Cylinders

Bulldogs sweep home-opening series against St. Lawrence

Victory at Home: Freshman Defenseman Scott Czarnowczan helps goalie Pat Nagle defend the net during the St. Lawrence game this weekend. The Bulldogs swept the home-opening series, bringing their 2010-11 record to 3-1. Photo By: Brock Copus | Photographer
Victory at Home: Freshman Defenseman Scott Czarnowczan helps goalie Pat Nagle defend the net during the St. Lawrence game this weekend. The Bulldogs swept the home-opening series, bringing their 2010-11 record to 3-1. Photo By: Brock Copus | Photographer
The Bulldogs swept St. Lawrence over the weekend behind an offensive explosion from senior center Nate Hennig and two strong outings from senior goalie Pat Nagle.

Ferris opened the home schedule on Friday with a 4-2 decision over the Saints. Sophomore right wing Matthew Kirzinger posted the first goal of the night and his first on the season before St. Lawrence tied it at 1-1 with 3:48 left in the first period.

Pat Nagle, senior

The Bulldogs broke the tie in the second period with a goal from freshman center Cory Kane 6:12 into the period.

Ferris put the game away in the final period with goals from Hennig and freshman left wing Garrett Thompson to outscore St. Lawrence 2-1 in the third period.

Nagle posted 21 saves in the victory while Hennig was recognized as the star of the night.

“After last weekend, I don’t think any of us were satisfied with how the games against Alabama-Huntsville went and tonight we came into it and tried to bear-down and do what we do best,” said Hennig.

Ferris took control early in the second game on its way to a 3-0 shutout victory.

Senior defenseman and team captain Zach Redmond netted his second goal of the season with 7:40 left in the first period and Hennig registered a goal early in the second period to give Ferris a 2-0 lead. Hennig, who had scored two goals in his entire Ferris career prior to this season, has scored a goal in three straight contests. Junior defenseman Derek Graham tacked on a power-play goal with 1:38 left in the second to round out the scoring for Ferris.

Nagle earned the Perani First Star honor with his 26-save shutout performance.

While the offense perked up over the weekend, head coach Bob Daniels couldn’t ignore the torrid start that Hennig has gotten off to this season.

“I guess if anything I should have played Nate more often last year,” said Daniels. “He really put in a lot of work with his conditioning and his overall game in the offseason and you can obviously see that with the start he’s had for us this season.”

While the offense might have gotten some of the attention over the weekend, Nagle’s strong play over the weekend did not go unnoticed.

“Pat came out this weekend and really made a case to stay the number one goalie,” said Daniels. “The effort he’s given this season has been great and it really speaks to his conditioning and preparation.”

Though Nagle gained some praise for his play, he said he couldn’t have done it by himself.

“Things have been going my way so far and the defense really did a good job and made it an easy job for me this weekend,” said Nagle.

The Bulldogs will return to action on Oct. 22 as they begin conference play with a home series against Ohio State.